S: Raisins and...cat litter? Eww. The less pleasant scents don't stick around for very long, and all that remains is heavy, sticky malt sweetness.

T/M: Incredibly thick. There is a boatload of hops in this beer, and it manages to balance surprisingly well. A bizarre, dizzingly boozy beer that is chock full of all sorts of stuff. Bitter citric hops, chocolately malts, goodness only knows what all.

O: A little too much and a little too weird to be recommendable (and I split this four ways). I would have no idea what to do with a bottle all to myself. (710 characters)

Got a bottle of this from SliverX a while back. I've been very impressed with He'Brew so far, so this one comes much anticipated.

From a bomber into a snifter

APPEARANCE: Pours out dark brown and yields a 1+ finger, looser, creamy colored yellow head with poor retention. Head is really fizzy and cracks down to a ring only rather fast. Bistre brown body with medium levels of carbonation. A ring remains but leaves no lacing down the glass. Decent body here, but a very poor head.

SMELL: Big nose on this one with dark fruits, like plumbs, dates and grapes, read wine aromas, spicy notes and a good dose of alcohol. Notes of molasses and brown sugar as well. Bold and impressive, with lots of complexity. Quite alcoholic as well.

TASTE: Very boozy right off the bat. Dark fruits again, dates and plumbs, dark grapes, molasses, and lots of spicy alcohol at the swallow. Bold finish of molasses, burnt brown sugar, raisins, some bitter dark chocolate and lots of spicy alcohol. Cinnemon and ginger in there as well. Despite the booze, this is still very flavorful and complex.

PALATE: Medium body and a touch higher levels of carbonation. A bit light on the palate, though expected perhaps, creamy enough, goes down alright with a burn at the swallow and finishes sticky. Some heat lingers.

OVERALL: This is excellent stuff, and is more confirmation that Shmaltz makes awesome strong ales. No problem finishing this bottle solo. I'm a big fan of the Jewbelation series, but will admit that this one is even getting to the limits of my alcohol tollerance. This might be a good place to end this series, as a 17% and then an 18% beer might just be a bridge too far. Regardless, this one was great and I'm happy to have been able to experience it the way it was meant to be experienced. Solo watching PGA Golf. Thanks again SliverX. (1,839 characters)

appeared very dark brown, a thin khaki colored head. good head retention. smell is fairly sweet, with fusel alcohol fumes so its a bit harsh, with some licorice and tobacco. the taste starts herbal, slightly roasty, bready, then quite a bit of alcohol burn in the finish. the mouthfeel is medium bodied, fairly low carbonation, which works.

overall - no questioning the strength of this beer. for the first time in the Jewbelation series, the alcohol comes through big time. I guess it was inevitable. took a long time to drink the whole bottle. (568 characters)

Bottle: Poured a deep black color ale with a medium foamy head with average retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of deep caramelized sugar notes with light dried fruit and alcohol ester. Taste is also dominated by caramelized sugar with overly sweet notes and some alcohol warming notes. Body is quite full with motor oil consistency and alcohol is indeed a bit too straightforward. Too sweet with too much alcohol being perceptible. (432 characters)

Pours a very dark brown color with a small tan head that disappears quickly. Scent is heavy with molasses, brown sugar, burnt sugar, prune, raisin, booze, and chocolate cake/frosting. Very aromatic nose on this one. The taste has very similar characteristics, except for having a hint of soy and gingerbread. More spicy than the sent implies, with some allspice, gingerbread, pumpkin, yam, and cinnamon. Tons of sweet, sugary flavors. Burnt sugar with a ton of molasses and dark fruits. Very sweet and boozy. Mouthfeel is thick and syrupy. Drinkability is fair. Overall, the 16% alcohol is leveled nicely within this beer. This is better than the other Anniversary years in my opinion. Surprisingly enjoyable. (709 characters)

Poured a dark brown, thin tan head on top. The retention is decent with a very subtle lacing. The smell is a bit strange. Very different and not sure how to place it. The taste is of roast, molasses, pine and a plethora of things. Very interesting to say the least. The mouthfeel is smooth lightly carbonated and oily. Overall this beer is unique, it's not something I would die for but it was really nice to try. It's worth trying for sure an it'll hit ya like a ton of bricks too. (482 characters)

Was looking over a ton of beers, saw that this was 16% abv and for 8.99. Figured what the heck.

A: Very dark and unable to see through. When pouring the beer into the sniffer, it had little to no head. Could tell it was very thick. Light amount of lacing on the glass that doesn't actually stick. Could tell it had a lot too it.

T: It has a spice to it from the heavy alcohol, heavy malt, grape juice, prune, fig, a tiny bit of bitterness on the tongue after swallowing.

M: To be honest after drinking lots of beers and lots of 11%'s, this one is just too much at 16%. It is so thick and heavy that it isn't the easiest to drink. It's actually a little rough. I did struggle a tiny bit to finish it.

O: I get the impression that they made this beer 16% abv just because they could, not with an actual thought process behind it. There are some good things going on, but it sadly is a case where too much makes something less. I know it's the sweet 16, but why make the quality suffer? I don't think I'd ever buy this again as I'd rather have the ability to drink a imperial without struggling. It's just very syrupy, and too rough to be up there with the best. (1,267 characters)

I've always been more of a quincinera kind o' guy, but I can indulge otherwise every now and then... (And, in retrospect, that sounded a lot creepier than in my head...) Anyway, this stuff pours a very dark black-brown topped by over a finger of tan foam. The nose comprises mild chocolate powder, light dark fruits, mild roasted malts, a vague vein of breadiness, and a hint of even vaguer wood. It's experientially a stranger mixture than it sounds. The taste brings in more of the same, with a stronger emphasis on the chocolate, but there is a strong blast of straight-up booze shooting up from the very start, drowning out all else, rather than working with the other flavors (as would happen in a fine Scotch or other liquor). Things end with a flurry of slightly-fruity coffee, though this doesn't hang around too long. Let's just call this section...unpleasant. The body is a hefty medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a lightly chewy feel. Overall, this is just too much to really be enjoyable. Maybe if they were to cut back on the unnecessary booze, this might've actually been pretty nice. Shame, really.... (1,162 characters)

A: Pours a very dark brown color - one would think it was an imperial stout given the look. The head is a one finger mocha shade. I'm really impressed how well it retains itself for 16%, too. Not much lacing, as expected.

S: There is a lot of chocolate, licorice, and plum qualities exhibited on the nose. In general it's a fruity aroma, perhaps a bit weak (due to the fact I served it relatively cold) yet not remotely boozy.

T: The initial flavor is very plummy. Strong dark fruits and chocolate go into the midtaste, and it finishes with a bit of spicy hoppiness and booze. I'm amazed how boozy this isn't - blindfold me and I'd swear it was around the 9-10% range. Rather, it's the sweetness that becomes a problem. After 10 oz. this one got too cloying for me.

M: It isn't as thick as one would expect, but it certainly lingers on the palate in sweet, syrupy fashion. While I can complain about all the sweetness, I can NOT complain about the prevalence of alcohol; the person I was drinking it with claimed he could honest-to-god chug it.

O: Sure, it gets too cloying after half a bottle. Sure, it's devoid of sophistication, refinement, and elegance. But when you consider that this is an extreme beer that's drinkable, non-boozy, AND inexpensive (for what it is), all those problems kind of fly out the window. I wouldn't have regretted buying a second bottle of this to age for a year of two, either. This one is best shared with 2-3 people. (1,508 characters)

He'Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 is ostensibly black but slips up the odd highlight here and there. Either way, it's a very dark beer that, while claimed to be a brown ale, could easily pass for a stout. Its head is nearly as dark in colour as its body; the deep brown froth gives out in parts but is unusually resilient for a beer with this high an alcohol content.

The label offers much useless trivia relating to the number 16, but doesn't provide a single hint as to any of the 16 varieties of hops or the (9589 lbs of) malts used in this recipe. Luckily their website does. But at this point, does it even matter to list them? I bet most people would be surprised to learn that there is even 16 varieties of each to chose from...

Despite the creamy caramel and raisin-y dried fruit notes, the mouthfeel is not teeth-achingly sweet nor, despite the heavy roast and mocha-like bitterness, is it hauntingly bone-dry. Instead, overlooking the inevitable alcohol (which is plentiful), it drinks with balance and relative poise, with a soothing After-Eight chocolate mintiness on the finish.

I'd be flabbergasted if this was not bourbon barrel-aged; it has that scorched oak, ashy cigar smoke, creamy vanilla and alcohol notes that Kentuckians would instantly recognize. Whatever the case, it's got a profile that requires a wide-bowled wine glass to properly savor but an intensity suited to the shot-glass. It may be a bit extreme - but hey, it's a celebration!

16 variety of hops and 16 varieties of malts sounds excessive - and to be sure, it is - but if the blends and ratios work, if they make for a nice smelling and tasting beer, then by all means knock yourself out. Hell, use 116 if you like! Whatever went into this beer (aside from half of the world's barley and hop yields), I certainly got a lot of out of it. Mazel tov! (2,176 characters)

A big beer which revels in its bigness. LCBO acquisition, who promptly gave a lab evaluation of only 14.5% abv - whatever, it is only to be supped. Big chocolate and roasted malt, and heavy anise finish. Black and bubbly head is attractive. Booze in the finish. Its hidden but its instantly apparent. Sweet stout bias. Above average mouthfeel. (343 characters)

22oz bottle served in small wine glass. Beer pours a dark brown color, decidedly neither opaque nor black. Viscosity looks surprisingly thin given the ABV, which is advertised with a big shiny "16" on the label. Medium-thin head of lighter brown. Big aroma of grapes or raisins -- this is clearly a barleywine. On the first sip I've discovered I've served this *way* too cold. But there's no rush, we can fix this....

Fruit flavors come through strongest in this beer. The contrast of the richness of the dark/stone fruit with their sweetness (figs, plums) is the focal point. There's also a complex mix of hops which serves to neutralize the aftertaste and leave the overall profile relatively dry. I can't imagine how the brewer finds just the right IBU level to make this beer work. The mouthfeel is not too heavy, consistent with how it pours, which is nice because this is a REALLY big beer (1x 22oz beer @ 16% ABV = 6x 12oz beers @ 5%...holy shit...not bad for $8).

Maybe not an every day beer, but highly recommended nonetheless. (1,038 characters)

A strong ale? This beer pours like an imperial stout! Thick, burnt molasses brown and opaque. The head is an oak yellow brown that starts out thick but fades to a rainbow oil slicked cluster of bubbles. For sure a worthy looking beer for a 16th anniversary.

Deep rich nose of dark fruits and heavily roasted grains with hints of coconut. Again the nose is stout-ish and as it warms the scents get more complex. This is becoming a more and more impressive beer.

The taste is the first point where the sweet 16 jives from the stout formula. Instead of chocolate and coffee roasted malts this brew is more dark fruit, hops and sweet cereal. There is an overall boozy undertone that is masked nicely by the dark fruit flavors but still there. This one for sure is a sipper.

I feel this beer slips in the mouthfeel department. It's very thick and sweet that leaves you with an overly coated mouth. I do like how the grain notes and boozy burn lingers but I've had better strong ales and for sure better stouts. All in all, this is a solid beer. I can feel it coming on and I like most of its angles. Well done shmaltz brewing, I'm glad I've got two of these bombers. (1,164 characters)

Smell: Its a little strange at first, but its growing on me. Medicinal and boozy. Dark fruit. Roasty, sweet malt, and some hops.

Taste: I'm again surprised by this beer. The taste is very good. I expected the ridiculous "complexity" of the malt bill would lead to a total muddled mess. It is a bit messy, but it works. It is quite hot and boozy, but doesn't taste medicinal. Very roasty without being too harsh. Chocolate, dark toast, fruit, and roasted marshmallows. Very sweet. There's a pretty prominent but amorphous hops flavor, but not so much that it becomes like a black IPA.

Mouthfeel: I expected a bit fuller feel, but that would have been too much with the sweetness. Slight drying in the finish really helps, and a bit more carbonation would too.

Overall: For the fourth time, I'm surprised. Tasty beer with a bit of a weird smell. The abv is out of hand. (1,016 characters)

Tastes rich and sweet with a warming alcohol flavor. Fades into a sweet chocolate and slight roast flavor.

Syrupy, bold, dense. Matches the look perfectly.

Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. Some say its gimmicky but I love a good gimmick. And I love Jewish brewers with a sense of humor. This beer, in my opinion, goes far beyond the gimmick though and delivers a fantastic flavor and drinking experience. Very warm, very strong. I would defnitely buy another if I was sharing it. Wouldn't be able to finish a bottle by myself, but for a 16% beer, it is quite drinkable and enjoyable. I would reccomend it on a cold day. Or a warm day. Or any day that you want to have a good roasty beer. (944 characters)

Deep, dark brown color with mahogany edges, and very little head. Zero lacing, which was to be expected. Looks serious. Because it is.

Aromas contain an s-load of molasses... seriously, it's almost like opening a jar of it. Beyond that, we have dark chocolate, heavy alcohol burn, and kiss of caramel.

Thick, cloying mouthfeel is what grips the palate first... but frankly, it's no worse than 12% Older Viscosity - in fact, it might be easier to drink. Flavor is full of the aforementioned molasses, along with lots of toffee, bittersweet chocolate, and saccharine. Malt-forward? Um, YES!

Have had the last 3 from Shmaltz, all when fresh... always impressed with the epic ABV. This one is approaching Jump the Shark status, but not quite there. Maybe #17 or 18? (800 characters)

A - black with just a hint of light getting through the bottom, thumb of head retaining very well with consistent lacing given the high alcohols - big molasses, raisins, coffee, earthy, and well blended alcoholT - much like the nose I find the dominant flavour to be molasses maltiness with notes of coffee, raisins, cocoa, and relatively subtle alcoholM - heavy with appropriate carbonation, thick and smooth through the middle with the alcohol making its presence know through the finish as it warms the innards, but you would never suspect it being as high octane as it isO - much like the 15 this brew is big but extremely tasty and drinkable given its high octane nature, i have one put away to age at the moment but will definitely be picking up at least one more to drink now and likey another to age longer (818 characters)

Pours black with edges of amber. A frothy dark brown head lasts a while then dissipates to a ring on the glass. Enormous fresh malt nose. Molasses, stewed fruit and chocolate mix with some tobacco and spiciness. The taste is intensely malty, with a sweet, chocolate syrup character at first then prunes, tofee, sherry and cocoa with alcohol heat is prominent throughout. The mouthfeel is oily and thick, with a light, subtle carbonation. The finish is lightly booziness with a soft eucalyptus hop flavor.

This is an interesting super strong American Ale. Visually like a stout but a malt flavor profile much more like an English Barleywine. Huge malt flavors and a good alcohol kick, a great sipper. (760 characters)

Pours very dark brown/black with no light showing through the beer. Light brown colored head that billows decently at pour and disappates to a solid rim around the glass. No lacing present. Aroma is a dark malt bomb yet sweet - dark molasses. Taste confirms lots of malts with a band of bitter through the middle and dominating the finish. Alcohol presence hard to avoid at this strength, but lingers nicely with dark chocalate malt flavor. (440 characters)

Appearance: coffee black body with a two finger dark tan head; leaves some sticky lacing on the glass with each sip

Aroma: rich sweet malts, roasted malts, just a touch of alcohol, not as boozy as I thought it would be, let’s see what happens as it warms up, fig, chocolate syrup, coffee; the nose has that boozy tone as it warms.

Flavors: this has a very rich style, the kind that can become too much for me, rich sweet malts followed by some toasted grains, burnt sugars, dark chocolate covered caramel, a squirt of Hershey mild chocolate syrup, hoppy spice or is it the alcohol,

Mouthfeel: a bit syrupy, thick and chewy is a good way to look at it, rich toasted and slightly burnt notes cover the palate, sweet on the front and mid palate, hoppy spice and alcohol peppery feel on the finish with the sweet note swirling around, low carbonation feel,

To the Point: as they say on the bottle, ‘this is about cupcakes and unicorns’ and I feel like I just ate three too many cupcakes and I am only halfway through this bottle. This is a sipper. Would I buy another one? … No. If you like bold and rich malts … this is for you. (1,142 characters)